The Great Escape: Cueva de los Cristales, Mexico

Crystals' Cave

The crystal caves in the Naica Mine are so magnificent they look as if they are from a magical planet. Located 300 meters below the surface of the Naica Mountains, Mexico, these giant crystals have been forming for hundreds of thousands of years. The oldest crystal in the cave is believed to be around 600,000 years old. Usually in deep caves the temperature drops, but it is the opposite case for this one of a kind cave. Rather than getting cooler, the cave gets hotter, as it is located above an intrusion of magma. Within the cave, the temperature is around 110 degrees with 90-100% humidity. These crystals originally formed under water, creating the perfect environment for them to grow to these extreme sizes. Although the crystal cave is the most recent discovery and the largest, there are other caves in Naica mine that exist that are covered in crystals as well. These cave are Swords' Cave, Candles' Cave and Queens' Eye Cave. Unfortunately, at this time these caves are not open to the public, but hopefully if we are lucky enough they will be one day. For now we will simply have to gaze in awe at the surreal photographs admiring these beautiful creations from afar. They were just too amazing not to share.